Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority met on August 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. (with roll call at 9:36 a.m.) in Council Chambers, Courthouse Room 300. Commissioners Jebens-Singh, McGuire, Miller, Moran, and Vice-Chair Xiong were present; Commissioners McMurtrey and Chair Ortega were excused. The meeting covered routine approvals and a significant administrative item to transfer fund balance for Union Depot insurance premiums, followed by corridor updates on the Borealis service and the Union Depot restaurant.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval (Item 1): The agenda of August 26, 2025 was presented and approved unanimously (motion by Miller, second by Moran; all present voted aye).
• Minutes Approval (Item 2): The minutes from August 19, 2025 were presented and approved unanimously (motion by Miller, second by Moran; all present voted aye).

Discussion Items

3. Use of Fund Balance – Union Depot Insurance Premiums

• Deputy Director of Public Works Mike Rogers presented the item. He explained that the increased insurance costs arise from the Authority taking on more liability control at Union Depot as part of negotiating the Borealis service. Previously, Amtrak backed stop insurance beyond $50 million; now the Authority must maintain $175 million in coverage, costing about $2 million annually. A one-time $1 million state appropriation has been spent.
• The current request was to transfer $800,000 (per agenda and minutes) from the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority tax levy fund balance to the 2025 Multimodal Planning operating budget to cover the remaining insurance premium gap. (Note: In the transcript, Mr. Rogers stated the request was for about $850,000; the written record consistently shows $800,000. This discrepancy is noted.)
• Commissioners discussed the ongoing nature of the cost, the need for future state support, and the possibility of creating an insurance pool with other public entities. Commissioner McGuire, Vice-Chair Xiong, and others expressed support for advocating for broader state funding, noting Union Depot is a statewide asset.
• The motion (by Miller, second by McGuire) passed unanimously (Resolution R2025-013).

Corridor Updates

Although the agenda listed “Corridor Updates” and the minutes state “None,” the transcript includes significant updates provided by County Manager Ling Becker after the vote:

• Borealis Service: Exceeded 250,000 riders on July 4, 2025, surpassing ridership forecasts. A challenge noted: Amtrak’s fleet corrosion issues forced replacement cars with 30% less capacity, limiting potential ridership until more cars are available.
• Union Depot Restaurant (1881 Eating House): Renamed this year; a patio opened in summer 2025. The restaurant offers parking validation for the Union Depot ramp. Commissioners shared positive personal experiences and encouraged patronage.
• Commissioners also noted the addition of the patio as a sign of improved conditions at the depot and encouraged taking the Gold Line downtown.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved unanimously.
• Transfer of $800,000 (or $850,000 per discussion) from fund balance to operating budget for insurance premiums approved unanimously (Resolution R2025-013).
• Future actions: Staff will continue to seek state support and explore an insurance pool. The cost will be incorporated into future biennial budgets to avoid similar fund balance requests.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.